Device for use with self-developing film

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for use in a camera utilizing selfdeveloping film. The film in question comprises a rupturable pod of processing liquid which is sandwiched betwen a pair of photographic sheets. Attached to the exterior of one of the sheets and disposed adjacent the leading end thereof is an elongated removable feeder tab. The device is disposed within the camera and includes a pair of elongated spreader members which are biased towards one another to assume a substantially superposed relation and define an longated predetermined minimum gap through which the photographic sheets and the pod, when in a collapsed state, are caused to move. As the film moves through the gap, the pos is ruptured and the processing liquid uniformly spread between the sheets. Compression means are disposed adjacent the infeed side of the gap and provide uninterrupted pressure on the opposite marginal segments of the film sheets. Compressive pressure is continuously exerted along a wide uninterrupted band on opposite marginal segments of the film from a location substantially upstream of the spreader members into the gap between the spreader members and thereby confining the spread of the processing liquid to between the compressed wide bands formed on the marginal segments. Portions of the compression means extend into the gap and engae the film while the latter is moving therethrough. The device includes a guide means which is disposed adjacent the infeed side of the gap and directs the leading end of the film into the gap. The feeder tab carried by one of the photographic sheets is positioned over the guide member so as to circumvent the gap. The feeder tab projects outwardly from the camera housing and, as it is manually pulled therefrom, the feeder tab will cause the leading ends of the photographic sheets to pass through the gap and extend outwardly from the camera housing whereupon they may be grasped for manual pulling of the remainder of the film through the gap.

United States Patent 9 [1 1 Nesson et al.

[451 Mar. 12, 1974 [5 DEVICE FOR USE WITH SELF-DEVELOPING FILM [75]Inventors: Israel Nesson, Fair Lawn; Robert G.

Palmer, Wayne; Edwin E. Faris, Wyckoff; Charles J. Hertling, Bloomfield,all of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Berkey Photo, Inc., Paramus, NJ.

[22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 314,725

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.229,942, Feb. 28,

1972, Pat. NO. 3,130,065.

[ 52 US. Cl .11 ..::r. .3s4 s5 Primary Examiner-Joseph F. PetersAssistant ExaminerAlan Mathews Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Neuman,Williams, Anderson & Olson [57] ABSTRACT A device is provided for use ina camera utilizing selfdeveloping film. The film in question comprises arupturable pod of processing liquid which is sandwiched betwen a pair ofphotographic sheets. Attached to the exterior of one of the sheets anddisposed adjacent the leading end thereof is an elongated removablefeeder tab. The device is disposed within the camera and includes a pairof elongated spreader members which are biased towards one another toassume a substantially superposed relation and define an longatedpredetermined minimum gap through which the photographic sheets and thepod, when in a collapsed state, are caused to move. As the film movesthrough the gap, the pos is ruptured and the processing liquid uniformlyspread between the sheets. Compression means are disposed adjacent theinfeed side of the gap and provide uninterrupted pressure on theopposite marginal segments of the film sheets. Compressive pressure iscontinuously exerted along a wide uninterrupted band on oppositemarginal segments of the film from a location substantially upstream ofthe spreader members into the gap between the spreader members andthereby confining the spread of the processing liquid to between thecompressed wide bands formed on the marginal segments. Portions of thecompression means extend into the gap and engae the film while thelatter is moving therethrough. The device includes a guide means whichis disposed adjacent the infeed side of the gap and directs the leadingend of the film into the gap. The feeder tab carried by one of thephotographic sheets is positioned over the guide member so as tocircumvent the gap. The feeder tab projects outwardly from the camerahousing and, as it is manually pulled therefrom, the feeder tab willcause the leading ends of the photographic sheets to pass through thegap and extend outwardly from the camera housing whereupon they may begrasped for manual pulling of the remainder of the film through the gap.

2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTED MAR 1 2 i974 SHEET 1 BF 2PATENTEDHAR 12 m4 3 797" 02s SHEEI 2 0F 2 DEVICE FOR USE WITHSELF-DEVELOPING FILM Theinstant application is a continuation-in-part ofapplicants pending application, Ser. No. 229,942, filed Feb. 28, 1972.Now US. Pat 3,730,065.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various devices have heretofore beenprovided for spreading the processing liquid between the photographicsheets of self-developing flim upon the latter being moved apredetermined distance through a camera. Because of certain designcharacteristics, however, the devices have been beset with one or moreof the following shortcomings: (a) they were of a complex and costlyconstruction; (b) the spreader members were ineffective in uniformlyspreading the processing liquid between the photographic sheets once thepod containing the liquid was ruptured; (c) leakage of the processingliquid occurred along the margins of the film as the latter was movedthrough the device; ((1) the film frequently became jammed in thedevice; and (e) moving of the film through the device was an awkwardmanual manipulation and often resulted in a failure to evenly developthe film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of this invention toprovide a device of the type described which avoids the shortcomingsaforenoted.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the typedescribed which is of simple, compact and sturdy construction and may bereadily disposed within a camera utilizing self-developing film withoutcausing the size of the camera to be inordinately enlarged, orinterfering with the normal operation of such a camera.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the typedescribed which requires little or no maintenance and is readily capableof handling either black and white or color self-developing filmpresently available on the market.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a device of thetype described wherein continuous wide bands are impressed along themarginal segments of the film as the latter is moved between thespreader members and, thus, spreading of the processing liquid iseffectively confined between the marginal wide bands.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description,accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a device of the typedescribed, is provided which includes a carriage, a pair of elongatedspreader members arranged in a substantially superposed relation anddefining an elongated predetermined minimum gap, and spring meanscarried by the carriage and on which the ends of the spreader membersare mounted. The spring means bias the spreader members toward oenanother to form the minimum gap. An elongated guide means is carried bythe carriage and is disposed adjacent the infeed side of the gap. Theguide means is adapted to direct the leading end of the film into thegap and at the same time cause a feeder tab, which is normally a part ofthe film, to be diverted so that it will circumvent the gap. A springbiased compression unit is provided which has first portions thereofmounted on the carriage adjacent the infeed side of the gap, and secondportions carried adjacent the ends of the guide means and cooperatingwith the first portions to compress the opposite marginal segments ofthe photographic sheets of the film to form continuous wide bands as thefilm sheets move through the gap between the spreader members. As thefilm sheets are moved through the gap, the pod of processing liquid,which is sandwiched between the sheets, is ruptured. The continuous widebands formed in the marginal segments of the film sheets cause thespreading of the processing liquid to be confined therebetween.

A part of each second portion of the compression unit is disposed withinthe gap and is adapted to resiliently engage the marginal segments ofthe film sheets as they move between the spreader members.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention referenceshould be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the improved device takenfrom the discharge side of the spreader members.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but taken from the infeed side of thespreader members and showing in phantom, a portion of theself-developing film moving through the device in the direction of thearrow.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the deviceof FIG. 1 and with thedischarge end thereof-disposed to the right.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the comer of thedeivce of FIG. 1 and showing the components thereof in explodedrelation.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of a component of thecompression means.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the component of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9 ofFIG. 3 and showing the compression unit acting upon the marginal portionof the film.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2,one form of the improved device 10 is shown which is adapted to be usedin a camera, not shown, utilizing self-developing film 11, the latterbeing shown in phantom in FIG. 2. A camera of the type in question maybe that presently marketed by Polaroid Coporation of Cambridge,Massachusetts, under the name Colorpack II Land Camera. It is to beunderstood, of course, that device 10 is not limited for use in thisprecise camera, but may be utilized in other types of cameras utilizingthe self-developing film, whether the latter be black and white orcolor. The film 11, adapted for use with the device in question,consists of sets of superposed sheets'of film arranged in stackedrelation within a suitable rectangular cartridge, not shown. Thecartridge is sized so that it may be readily slipped into a rearcompartment of the camera when the latter is to be loaded or reloaded.The film cartridge may be of a type presently marketed by the PolaroidCorporation under the name Polaroid 3000 Speed, Type 107." Each set offilm sheets used with the device 10 includes a rupturable pod ofprocessing liquid which is sandwiched between a pair of photographicsheets. Removably attached to the exposed surface of the uppermost filmsheet, is an elongated feeder tab T, which,

when manually pulled, causes the leading edge E of the superposed filmsheets to be properly positioned initially in the device so that saidleading edge will be exposed outside the camera housing and adapted tobe subsequently pulled manually in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Device 10, as illustrated, includes a pair of elongated spreader members12 and 13 which take the form of rollers, disposed in superposedproximate relation. The term superposed, as used herein, is intended tocover the rollers being disposed in side-by-side or coextensiverelation. The rollers are biased towards one another by a pair ofsubstantially U-shaped springs 14 and 15. Each spring is of likeconstruction and is formed of a suitable resilient material for exertingthhe necessary biasing force.

Roller 12 is provided at opposite ends thereof with annular shoulders12a which are adapted to tangentially engage the periphery of roller 13and form an elongated gap G of predetermined minimum dimensions. Theouter surfaces of the rollers are smooth, so as not to mar or deface thefilm sheets as they move through the gap. Opposite ends of the rollersare provided with axially extending spindles 12b and 13a, see FIG. 6,which are adapted to be journaled in the corresponding ends of legs 14aand b and 15a and b of the springs 14 and 15.

Roller 12 is also provided with a pairofannular grooves or recesses 12cwhich are disposed inwardly of, but adjacent to, the shoulders 12a. Thefunction of the grooves will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

- Positioned in close proximity to the infeed side of the gap G, is anelongated guide means which is shown as a roller 16. The roller 16 issupported at its opposite ends by upright side flanges 17a ofa carriage17, which will subsequently be described in greater detail. The guideroller 16 is substantially coextensive with the rollers 12 and 13 and isarranged in substantially parallel relation therewith. The centralportion 16a of roller 16 is recessed slightly. The opposite ends ofroller 16 are each provided with a recessed bearing surface 16b and anaxially-extending spindle 16c, see FIG. 6. The spindles 16c arejournaled in suitable openings formed in the carriage side flanges 17a.The distal ends of the spindles 16c terminate within elongated slots 18formed in the corresponding upper legs 14a and 15a of the springs 14 and15.

The bearing surfaces 16b of guide roller 16 are embraced by coil springs20 and 21. The springs 20 and 21 are of like construction and each hasahook-shaped end portion 20a or 21a which extends forwardly and upwardlyfrom the bearing surface 16b, see FIGS. 6 and 9. The opposite endportion 20b or 21b of spring 20 or 21, extends rearwardly and downwardlyfrom the bearing surface 16b and rests uponv a base section 17b forminga part of the carriage 17, see FIG. 9.

In addition to the springs 20 and 21 an elongated pawl 19 is positionedon the bearing surface 16b at opposite ends of roller 16. Each pawl isof like construction and as seen-in FIGS. 6 and 9, is provided with anelongated opening 19a through which the bearing surface l6b extends. Theelongated configuration of opening 19a provides a slip fit permiti'ngthe pawl to move upwardly relative to bearing surface 16b, so as tocompensate for the marginal thickness of the film sheets passing betweenthe spreader members 12 and 13. A small aperture 19b is also formed inthe pawl to accommodate the hook-shaped end portion 20a or 21a of thespring 20 or 21. The springs bias the pawls in a downward direction. Theforward end of the pawl 19 is provided with a concave surface 190 whichpartially conforms to the base surface configuration of the grooveformed at each end of spreader roller 12. The lower portion of thesurface 19c is disposed within the gap G formed between the spreadermembers 12 and 13.

The underside of each pawl is elongated and substantially flat. As seenin FIG. 9, the broad, substantially flat underside of each pawl coactswith a component 22 or 23, which is fixedly disposed therebeneath andadjacent the infeed side of the gap G. Each component 22 or 23 is oflike construction and is preferably of onepiece construction. As seen inFIGS. 6-8, only component 22 is shown and includes a broad, smoothlycurved top surface 22a over which the underside of a segment M of themargin or edge of the superposed film sheets is caused to pass prior tosaid marginal segment entering the gap G.

As seen in FIG. 9, the surface 22a extends from a position substantiallybeneath the guide roller 16 to aposition substantially at the gap G.Thus, compressive force is exerted by each pawl 19 on the marginalsegment M of the film for a substantial distance prior to the segmententering the gap G. Thus, by reason of this arrangement, a continuousbroad bandlike debossment is formed along each margin of the superposedsheets so as to avoid the possibility of the developing fluid leakingout from between the photographic sheets once the pod containing thefluid has been ruptured and the sheets pass between the spreadermembers. In various prior constructions, such leakage was a problem dueto the fact that the compressive force exerted on the marginal segmentswas a point contact which occurred a substantial distance ahead of thespreader members and, thus, there was a substantial distance whereinsaid marginal segment was supported and not subjected to compressiveforces. In the instant construction, there is uninterrupted positivecompressive force exerted upon the marginal segment over a considerabledistance of travel of the segment prior to entering the gap G.

A depending flange 22b is formed adjacent the outer edge of surface 22a.Flange 22b has a portion thereof which extends forwardly of the surface22a and has formed thereon, a laterally, outwardly extending bearing22c. A center bore 22d is formed in the bearing and extends through theflange so as to accommodate the spindle 13a of the spreader roller 13,see FIG. 6. The outer end of the bearing is provided with an annularcollar 22:: which is adapted to engage the outer surface of the arm 14bor 15b of the spring 14 or 15, see FIGS. 1 and 2. As seen in FIG. 6, theend of arm 14b is notched at N to accommodate the bearing 22c. Thecollar 22s is spaced outwardly from flange 22b so as to accommodate notonly the notched end of arm 14b, but also a bifurcated portion of thecarriage side flange 17a, see FIG. 6.

The rear, or upstream, portion of the support surface 22.: bendsdownwardly, as seen in FIG. 7, to form a rear wall 22f. A depending lug22g is formed along the bottom edge of wall 22f and is adapted to bedisposed within asuitable opening 17d formed in the base section 17b ofthe carriage 17. The lug 22a serves to retain the component 22 in afixed position relative to the carriage. I

A studlike projection 22h is also formed on flange 22b and extendsoutwardly therefrom and is adapted to project through the bifurcated end170 of the carriage side flange 17a and terminate within an elongated,vertically disposed slot 18 formed adjacent the end of spring arm 14a or15a, see FIGS. 1 and 2. The elongated configuration of the slot 18permits relative movement of the spring arms and the spreader rollers 12and 13 so as to enlarge the height of the gap G, when the film sheetsmove through the gap, without interference from the ends of the guideroller 16.

The upstream, or rearwardly extending ends of the spring arms 14a and b,or 15a and b, are interconnected by a loop portion 14c or 150. Each loopportion is riveted at 24, or otherwise secured to the carriage sideflange 17a. As a result of the springs 14 and 15 being secured to thecarriage flanges, the device is of a unitary construction, therebymaking it convenient to handle when being assembled in a camera.

The carriage base section 17b is of skeletal construction so as toreduce weight, and is provided with a rearwardly extending tongue 17d towhich is connected a leaf spring 25. The spring 25 is adapted toresiliently engage the film cartridge when the latter is loaded into aninterior compartment of a camera, and thus, retain the cartridge inproper position within said compartment.

The carriage base section 17b is provided with a centrally disposedupright projection 17e which is adapted to engage the underside of thesuperposed film sheets 11, when the latter are being moved through thedevice. The projection 17e prevents any sagging of the film sheets asthe sheets move towards the gap between the spreader rollers.

A forwardly disposed projection 17f is also formed on the carriage basesection 1717 and serves to align the leading ends E (sometimes referredto as leader tabs) of the film sheets with the infeed side of the gap.The upper surface of the film sheets 11 will engage the underside of theguide roller 16 while the undersurface of the film sheets is engagingthe projection 17f.

As aforementioned, the central portion 16a of the guide roller 16 isrecessed, and said portion facilitates placement of the elongated feedertab T, removably attached to the top surface of the film sheets, overthe top of the guide roller 16 and the upper spreader roller 12. Thefeeder tab will extend through a suitable opening formed in the side ofthe camera and be accessible for manual pulling. Upon the feeder tabbeing pulled out of the camera side, said feeder tab, in turn, willcause the film sheets to move and the leading ends E thereof to movethrough the gap and out of the camera housing through a suitable openingformed in the latter. After one of the photographic sheets has beenexposed, the superposed film sheets are pulled completely out of thecamera housing.

The size of the gap G formed between the spreader rollers, is such thatit is less than the thickness of the pod of processing liquid, which issandwiched between the photographic sheets and thus, said pod will beruptured when the film is manually pulled through the gap prior to beingremoved from the camera. Once the pod is ruptured, the spreader rollers12 and 13 will coact with the superposed sheets and cause the processingliquid to be uniformly spread between the sheets. The compressedmarginal segments of the'sheets will confine, therebetween, spreading ofthe liquid.

Thus, it will be seen that an improved device, of the type described,has been provided which is compact, simple, and yet of sturdyconstruction. The device may be readily used with self-developing flimwhich is currently available on the market. The device will not mar ordeface the film as it is moved through the device and will cause to bedebossed along opposite marginal segments of the superposed sheetscontinuous broad bands which will effectively confine the processingliquid therebetween and prevent marginal leakage of said liquid.

We claim:

1. In a camera utilizing a self-developing film wherein the latter isprovided with a rupturable pod of processing liquid sandwiched between apair of superposed photographic sheets, at least one of the sheetscarrying a feeder tab; a device positionable within the camera fordistributing the processing liquid between the sheets as the latter aremoved a predetermined distance through said device, said devicecomprising a frame, upper and lower elongated spreader members supportedon said frame and biased towards one another to assume a substantiallyparallel superposed relation, means cooperating with said spreadermembers for maintaining an elongated predetermined minimum gap betweensaid spreader members, said gap being adapted to accommodate the filmsheets, and when the latter are moved therethrough, cause rupture of thepod and uniform spreading of the'processing liquid between the sheets,guide means supported on said frame and in parallel relationship to saidspreader members and disposed adjacent theinfeed side of the gap fordirecting the leading ends of the sheets into the gap and causing thefeeder tab to circumvent said gap, and compression means disposedadjacent the infeed side of said gap for engaging opposite marginalsegments of the film sheets as the latter move through said gap; saidcompression means including a' pair of elongated pawls disposed atopposite ends of said guide means, each pawl having an elongated openingin.slip-fit engagement with an adjacent end portion of said guide meansand extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom into said gap, a pairof components supported on said frame adjacent said pawls and extendingto the infeed side of said gap, and a coil spring for each pawlencompassing said guide means end portion and having one end of saidspring resiliently engaging a forwardly extending portion of said pawland biasing same towards the adjacent component, the forward terminus ofeach pawl being disposed within a peripheral groove formed in one of thespreader members and provided with a concave end surfaceconformingsubstantially to the peripheral configuration of the base ofsaid groove; said components being adapted to subtend the marginalsegments of the film sheets and cooperating with said pawls wherebysubstantially uninterrupted compressive force is exerted on the marginalsegments as the film sheets move from said guide means through said gapand confine the processing liquid between the marginal segments.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the surface of each pawl engaging amarginal segment of one photographic sheet is elongated andsubstantially flat, and the surface of each component engaging thecorresponding marginal segment of the other photographic sheet iselongated, substantially flat and substantially broader than the flatsurface of the adjacent pawl.

1. In a camera utilizing a self-developing film wherein the latter isprovided with a rupturable pod of processing liquid sandwiched between apair of superposed photographic sheets, at least one of the sheetscarrying a feeder tab; a device positionable within the camera fordistributing the processing liquid between the sheets as the latter aremoved a predetermined distance through said device, said devicecomprising a frame, upper and lower elongated spreader members supportedon said frame and biased towards one another to assume a substantiallyparallel superposed relation, means cooperating with said spreadermembers for maintaining an elongated predetermined minimum gap betweensaid spreader members, said gap being adapted to accommodate the filmsheets, and when the latter are moved therethrough, cause rupture of thepod and uniform spreading of the processing liquid between the sheets,guide means supported on said frame and in parallel relationship to saidspreader members and disposed adjacent the infeed side of the gap fordirecting the leading ends of the sheets into the gap and causing thefeeder tab to circumvent said gap, and compression means disposedadjacent the infeed side of said gap for engaging opposite marginalsegments of the film sheets as the latter move through said gap; saidcompression means including a pair of elongated pawls disposed atopposite ends of said guide means, each pawl having an elongated openingin slip-fit engagement with an adjacent end portion of said guide meansand extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom into said gap, a pairof components supported on said frame adjacent said pawls and extendingto the infeed side of said gap, and a coil spring for each pawlencompassing said guide means end portion and having one end of saidspring resiliently engaging a forwardly extending portion of said pawland biasing same towards the adjacent component, the forward terminus ofeach pawl being disposed within a peripheral groove formed in one of thespreader members and provided with a concave end surface conformingsubstantially to the peripheral configuration of the base of saidgroove; said components being adapted to subtend the marginal segmentsof the film sheets and cooperating with said pawls whereby substantiallyuninterrupted compressive force is exerted on the marginal segments asthe film sheets move from said guide means through said gap and confinethe processing liquid between the marginal segments.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the surface of each pawl engaging a marginal segment ofone photographic sheet is elongated and substantially flat, and thesurface of each component engaging the corresponding marginal segment ofthe other photographic sheet is elongated, substantially flat andsubstantially broader than the flat surface of the adjacent pawl.